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1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

The Tubolare Zagato (TZ) was conceived in 1959 to replace the SZ using most of the Giulia series assemblies, but with a radical tubular space frame chassis and lightweight Zagato body. These advanced traits made the TZ much more purpose-built for racing than the standard Giulia.

Chief designer Giuseppe Busso said “The TZ1 is the result of the evolution of the concept of a 1500cc racing car that dates back to 1955 that is even before the SZ.” He’s Referring to the 750 Competizione which used a steel-boxed chassis which was eventually dropped. Instead the TZ1 used a more elaborate version of the SZ’s tube frame.

Work on the TZ began in 1960 and the first road trials were conducted in 1961. However, it took a long time to reach production because precedence was given to the new Giulia and 2600 models.

Zagato, who had bodied previous competition Giulias, was entrusted to create the body. Zagatos lightweight aluminum bodies were ideally suited for the TZ’s advanced chassis. Their recent advances in aerodynamics led the inclusion of a Kamm Tail which helped raise stability without introducing drag.

Wanting a return to serious racing, company president Giuseppe Luraghi had Oarzio Satta approach ex-Ferrari engineer Carlo Chiti to produce the Tubulare Zagato (TZ). Chiti then setup Autodelta in March of 1963 to foster this new agreement. As the TZ1 progressed and became successful, Autodelta increasingly became Alfa Romeo’s racing wing until the company was eventually purchased by the firm.

Three years after the project began, the TZ was first shown on Zagato’s stand at the 1962 Turin Motorshow. It was later sold in 1963 with a 112 bhp engine identical to the one on the Sprint Special: this engine was then further developed for the TZ1 in participation in Grand Touring Category races. It was later offered with twin-spark ignition.

After its sporting debut in minor races, the Giulia TZ1 was immediately able to make its mark in demanding races such as the FISA Cup in Monza in 1963, at the Sebring 12-hour race, the 48th Targa Florio, the 1000 km Nurburgring, the Le Mans 24-hour race, the Tour of France, the Coupe des Alpes, and the Tour of Corsica. These victories confirm the great class of a car suitable not only for track racing, but also for more demanding road circuits.

Story by Alfa Romeo & Supercars.net

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
type Series Production Car
engine Inline-4
position Front Longitudinal
aspiration Natural
displacement 1570 cc / 95.8 in³
power 119.3 kw / 160 bhp @ 7000 rpm
specific output 101.91 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 242.42 bhp per tonne
front brakes Discs
rear brakes Discs
f suspension Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
r suspension Independent w/Coil Springs, Telescopic Dampers, Anti-Roll Bar
curb weight 660 kg / 1455 lbs
wheelbase 2200 mm / 86.6 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual

Auction Sales History

1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ 10511AR750099 – sold for $1,023,000 Among the Most Successful Competition Cars of the 1960s. A Wonderfully Presented Example of an Italian Masterpiece. An Incredibly Capable Touring or Vintage Racing Car. One of 112 TZs Built Between 1963 and 1967. Well-Documented History of Caring Stewardship.
Auction Source: 2014 Pebble Beach Auctions by Gooding & Company
1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ
1964 Alfa Romeo TZ Coupé 750006 – sold for €627,200 One of the most important TZs in existence, race-prepared new for Alfa Romeo by Autodelta. Entries at the Targa Florio, Le Mans 24 Hours, Monza 1000 Kms and Tour de France. Landmark Alfa Romeo model with gorgeous aluminium Zagato coachwork. Fully restored by Piet Roelofs Engineering to 1964 Le Mans configuration and livery. Single-family ownership for 23 years.
Auction Source: RM 2011 Villa d’Este Auction
1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ

1963 Alfa-Romeo TZ (TZ-1) – sold for $302,500

In its original Verde Bottiglia (bottle green) livery of Scuderia Sant’Ambroeus, TZ 003 was entered in the 1964 1000 Kilometres of Nürburgring, then on to the Le Mans 24 Hours. Driven by the Franco-Italian team of Jean Rolland and Fernand Masoero, the car crashed on lap 47 in the fifth hour of the race. Recommissioned with a new nose, sporting the single horizontal air vent, 003 went on to enter the Tour de France (Berney/Biscaldi), the Tour de Corse (Tomas/Gamet) and the Criterium Cevennes (Masoero/Massad).

Auction Source: 2009 RM Auctions Sports & Classics of Monterey